Paris is starting to see some demonstrations from protesters after a new law passed on Oct. 3 that essentially bans vegetarian meals from French schools that cater to more than 80 children a day.

The new law sets a minimum amount of nutritional requirements that the school canteen must adhere to. This practice is fairly common in the U.S. with public school lunches having to meet dietary guidelines which include how much protein, iron, calcium and fresh fruit children should be given.

The problem in French schools with the new law is that the protein requirement is soley based on protein from animals.

According to the Guardian, “So while the new rules do not explicitly ban vegetarian meals, Brigitte Gothière of the vegetarian association L214 says they make it clear that the state believes all sources of protein should come from animal, not vegetable, products. On a 20-meal cycle, a minimum of four meals must include “quality meat” and four “quality fish,” and on the other days, egg, cheese or “abats” (offal) should be the main dish.”

The new law does not give kids who eat a vegetarian or vegan diet an alternate option from the abundance of meat products that are available to them. French schoolchildren who eat in the canteen are treated to what many would consider a vegetarian nightmare of foods– rabbit, veal, cassoulet (bean stew or casserole made with pork sausages, duck, goose, pork skin and/or mutton), and raclette with accompanying charcuterie (a melted cheese dish).

According to Care2, it isn’t just vegetarians that are upset with the new French lunch law which basically insists children eat meat for protein. Jewish and Muslim families will also be affected by the new laws. Many who already bypass meals which include pork.

Le Parisien reports that many students in France are served vegetarian meals once or more during the week. Brigitte Gothiere, spokeswoman for L214, is concerned about what this will mean for schools who do offer a vegetarian only day during the week and/or offer a vegetarian alternative to the meat lunch available.

She says, “Because of the decree, the cities involved will find themselves outside the law. We could at least leave the choice to students.”

Matthew Gregory, advisor supply Minister, says that, “The alternative menus will continue to exist if the cities comply with our order. There will be a case by case basis.”

Get Ecorazzi in your inbox, once a week:

About lindastcyr

Linda St.Cyr is a writer, blogger, activist, and short story author. When she isn’t writing or raising her kids with her life partner, she is busy being vocal about feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and bringing attention to human rights violations all over the world.

Ok…What? So they’re basically removing the freedom to choose for these children. They’re alienating both students and parents by providing less choices. There are a LOT of plant-based protein, but why should they be forced to rely on flesh? Does the government have meat and fish providers, so much so that they are forcing students’ to consume these types of food?

Give ‘em a little time, and maybe they can be as lucky as US school children where french fries count as an official vegetable, sugary chocolate milk is a staple, and a rectangle slice of crappy pizza is a viable breakfast option…

Come on france, your waistlines are doomed to catch up to us Americans before long

If this topic interests you much, watch the brit Jamie Oliver’s “Food Revolution”, (you can find it on youtube).

http://deleted rat king

It’s obvious – times are rapidly getting worse – back to middle age!

from reddit

The headline is misleading and not the intention of the law. If you are thinking about posting this on Reddit please don’t do it again. It has been posted multiple times in the veg*n discussion subs already and it does not need to be posted again.
The intention of the law is not to ban vegetarian food in schools.